Friday, September 29, 2017

If you are not receiving Friday Notes by email and would like to or if you would like to be removed from the Friday Notes email list, please email fridaynotes@lelandandgray.org Please also add fridaynotes@lelandandgray.org to your contact list so the mailing doesn't end up in your spam folder. Thank you.

SCHOOL INFO:

School Calendar:

Please make sure to check out the Leland & Gray school calendar. It differs from the District calendar because of professional development days for our faculty. The full calendar can be found here.

School Picture Day:

Many students had their pictures taken on Tuesday. If you missed your opportunity Geskus will be back on Wednesday, November 1st from 1-3pm. If you didn't order pictures and would still like to place an order turn the order form into the Main Office. There are extra order forms in the Main Office too.

PSAT:

Attention 11th graders! PSAT information EVERY 10th and 11th grader is strongly encouraged to take the PSAT’s! They are a great way to practice for any standardized test. The PSAT’s will be held at L&G on Wednesday, October 11th at 8 a.m. The cost is $16. If you cannot afford to pay for them, PLEASE see Sarah and we will make it work! Please sign up in the front office.

Middle School Field Trip:

7th Grade, 10/06, Hiking Bromley Mountain & Riding Alpine Slides down

Attention Parents of Middle School Students:

Please see the letter regarding our partnership with the Tarrant Institute here

Registration is strictly audited. Students who are enrolled in K-8th grade from participating schools are eligible to enroll in Stratton’s JISP Program.

On-line registration includes the Assumption of Risk Form, which must be acknowledged to complete the registration process. Upload student pass photo if needed. Call Guest Services 297-4001 if you have questions re: registration process.

L&G JISP Program:

Students receive a full season pass, valid 7-days week, no black-out dates.

L&G Student JISP passes will be distributed at school the Nov 16-17. Passes will be available FOR SKIING AND BOARDING OVER THE THANKSGIVING BREAK.

Winter Activity Wednesday Afternoons: Jan. 10, 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 28

JISP Rental Equipment: $7.00 = reduced rental rate.

Includes skis/poles, snowboard, boots, and helmet. The reduced rate is only available on designated JISP mid-week days – not available on weekends or FREE JISP days.

Rocktoberfest:

Rebel Gear:

The L&G Class of 2021 is selling Leland & Gray Rebels merchandise - hoodies, T's, blankets, hats... orders open until October 6. Orders maybe placed/paid for online OR you may place an order on the enclosed brochure, checks payable to Kristine Clark.

Service Learning in Ecuador in April 2018:

Have you ever thought of traveling to a foreign country to work beside the natives in a service learning project? Now is your chance to take a meaningful sustainable and unforgettable venture into the heart of Ecuador’s lush Amazonian rain forest, where you’ll find one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. In Otavalo, you’ll experience the culture and heritage of the city, visiting the Mercados de los Ponchos—a famous market known for its local beautiful textiles—and learning how traditional crafts and meals are prepared when you visit a local family’s home. As you’re immersed in the Quito and Otavalo cultures, you’ll also put your hands to work: building and restoring local schools and promoting social justice.For more information visit the EF Tours website: http://www.eftours.com/educational-tour/ecuador-culture-and-serviceIf you are interested in this service learning travel opportunity, contact Susan Jones, sjones@lelandandgray.org.

ATHLETICS:

Important Update:

L&G has moved to requiring a well exam (sports physical) every year starting 2017-2018. This requirement is for grades 7-12.All practices and games will be listed on our Events and Activities Calendar which is on the L&G website under Calendars.http://lelandandgray.org/index.php/co-curricular-calendar

AFTER SCHOOL INFO:

HEY Programs:

HEY! Help is seeking Peer Tutors!We are also seeking 8-10 Elementary Counselors per session this year! Some of these positions will have the opportunity to lead STEM programs too.Both Peer Tutors and Elementary Counselors are PAID positions.Email Crystal at afterschool@lelandandgray.org for more info.Crystal Hope GarrityHEY Site Coordinator

WEST RIVER VALLEY THRIVES:

Fall Events and Opportunities:

High School

Refuse to Use: Developed by Stratton Mountain Resort and The Collaborative in 2002, Refuse to Use provides substance use prevention education to teens, schools, and families paired with the offering of a healthy alternative to substance use – a full access pass to Stratton Mountain! These passes are additionally subsidized by West River Valley Thrives, for a final cost of $35 per student. Teens in Refuse to Use make a pledge to remain substance free, with their parents or a caring adult pledging to support their decision. Students are expected to attend five educational events, including the kick-off party. Parents are expected to attend the kick-off party in the fall and Dialogue Night in January. This program is co-run by Karren Meyer, the driver education teacher.

Dash to the Dam

Dash to the Dam: West River Valley Thrives’ annual Halloween 5k will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 9am. Dash to the Dam is a mostly paved trail race on the West River Trail. The race begins at a trailhead off Route 30 and finishes at the Townshend Dam Rec Area, where there will be snacks, prizes and pumpkin painting. Runners are encouraged to wear costumes; a panel of judges from Leland & Gray Middle/High School will be awarding prizes for spookiest, funniest and most creative costumes! The race will begin promptly at 9am and festivities should be concluded by about 11am.

The cost to run is $20 for adults and $15 for kids under 15. Day-of registrations are the same prices, but we encourage you to sign up in advance. Sign-up is open at https://www.runreg.com/dash-to-the-dam.

More information on any of these programs is available by contacting Rebecca Keppler with West River Valley Thrives at 365-4700, wrvthrives@gmail.com or Room A13.

COMMUNITY:

L&G School Clothing Store:

Clothing donations needed...as the seasons change and you are sorting through your clothes, please consider donating any unwanted clothing to the L&G school store. Bring your clean clothes, sweaters, winter coats, snow pants, shoes, boots, hats, etc. to L&G. They will be added to the inventory and given out to students and family in need.If you need any clothing, call the school to arrange a free "shopping" trip.

Townshend Public Library Book & Bake Sale:

Hermitage Club at Haystack Seasonal Employment Opportunities:

On Tuesday, October 3, representatives from the Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain will be in the C level lobby during high school lunch to share information about the seasonal employment opportunities for eligible high school students and adults. There are openings for bussers and hosts in the restaurant and attendants in winter activities including ice skating, tubing hill, snowshoeing, ski and snowboard instructors, ski lift attendants and spa locker room attendants!

Vermont Ukulele Harvest:

Jamaica Annual Harvest of Talent:

Hey everybody! It’s time to start thinking about getting your act together LITERALLY!The annual Jamaica Harvest of Talent is just around the corner. This year it will be held at 7 PM on Saturday, November 18 at the Jamaica Town Hall. This event is a fund raiser for the Jamaica Village school club, but it is a community wide effort and we’d love for you , your parents, grand-parents and neighbors to be a part of it! Think about what you’d like to share on stage ….a gymnastics routine? A song? A poem? A stand-up comedy act? Fill out the entry form and return to D&K's store in Jamaica or Jamaica Village School.If you have any questions, contact Laura at l.molinelli.girl@gmail.com. Can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!

Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use:

Hello Prevention Partners,

I wanted to let you know that the Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use is now open!

This survey is being conducted by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in partnership with ADAP at the Vermont Department of Health and is designed for Vermont parents with children in grades 6-12. The purpose of the Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use is to assess parents’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to youth substance use, parental monitoring behaviors, and awareness of the ParentUp campaign and other prevention messages and activities.

We expect to keep the survey open from four to six weeks, but the exact timeframe will depend in part on how many respondents we get each week. To encourage participation, respondents will be eligible to enter a drawing for a weekly cash prize of $100 and a grand prize of $500 at the end of the survey. After completing the survey respondents are given the option to click on a link to enter the drawing on a separate website. The survey itself collects no personally identifying information and survey responses cannot be linked with contact information entered on the prize drawing site.

Recruitment will take place through Facebook ads targeted to Vermont parents. Please “like” our Facebook page www.facebook.com/vermontps and encourage any of your contacts and/or community partners to spread the word through their social media channels and complete the survey if they are eligible.

Any questions about the survey can be directed to me at the contact info below, or Kelly Lamonda at ADAP, 802-651-1551 kelly.lamonda@vermont.gov

Friday, September 22, 2017

If you are not receiving Friday Notes by email and would like to or if you would like to be removed from the Friday Notes email list, please email fridaynotes@lelandandgray.org Please also add fridaynotes@lelandandgray.org to your contact list so the mailing doesn't end up in your spam folder. Thank you.

SCHOOL INFO:

School Calendar:

Please make sure to check out the Leland & Gray school calendar. It differs from the District calendar because of professional development days for our faculty. The full calendar can be found here.

School Picture Day:

School pictures will take place on Tuesday, September 26th. Order forms will be sent home with students on Monday.

****All seniors MUST have their photos taken****Why do seniors need to have heir photo taken on picture day?In the spring the Reformer has a 2018 graduation supplement and posts photos of all graduating seniors in Brattleboro, Hinsdale, Twin Valley and Leland and Gray.. THE REFORMER WILL ONLY ACCEPT THE PHOTOS FROM THE SCHOOL PHOTO DAY. (The Geskus company sends the newspaper formatted electronic files from all the area high schools.)Many Senior have there photos professionally done privately- You can still do this, but please make sure you have your photo taken at school on Tuesday. Remember this photo will be in the newspaper!If you are only having Geskus take your picture for the newspaper supplement, YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY ANY PACKAGE OF SCHOOL PHOTOS. NOR DO YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT ANY GESKUS ENVELOP. You just need to give the photographer the little white card that will be HANDED to you on Picture Day.

PSAT:

Attention 11th graders! PSAT information EVERY 10th and 11th grader is strongly encouraged to take the PSAT’s! They are a great way to practice for any standardized test. The PSAT’s will be held at L&G on Wednesday, October 11th at 8 a.m. The cost is $16. If you cannot afford to pay for them, PLEASE see Sarah and we will make it work! Please sign up in the front office.

New Benchmark Assessments:

Students in grades 7 and 8 will be participating in AIMS Web Plus Benchmark Assessments on September 25th and 26th. The total time frame for testing is approximately 60 minutes.

Students in grades 9 and 10 will be participating Star 360 Benchmark Assessments on September 28th and 29th. The total time frame for testing is approximately 60 minutes.

Both assessments will report individual student Reading and Math proficiencies and will be administered 3 times during the school year.

Please encourage your child to do their best!

Feel free to email either of the Instructional Coaches with any questions.

jliskowsky-doak@lelandandgray.org

pbernardo@lelandandgray.org

Middle School Field Trip

Middle School Field Trips:

8th Grade, 9/29, Hiking Mount Monadnock

7th Grade, 10/06, Hiking Bromley Mountain & Riding Alpine Slides down

Refuse to Use:

Refuse to Use Kickoff Event

Sunday, September 24, 2017

7:00 pm- 8:30 pm

ALL L&G High School students who wish to participate in Refuse to Use, MUST attend the Kickoff Event. Participating students need to bring a parent or guardian.

To ski or snowboard at Stratton during Winter Activities, students must have a Stratton pass.

Students have 3 pass options:

Students can do Refuse to Use and receive an UNLIMITED STRATTON PASS for $35.00.

Students can get an employee pass because they or a family member work at Stratton.

Students can make their own arrangements to purchase a pass from Stratton at the full cost of Stratton passes.

Rocktoberfest:

Rebel Gear

The L&G Class of 2021 is selling Leland & Gray Rebels merchandise - hoodies, T's, blankets, hats... orders open until October 6. Orders maybe placed/paid for online OR you may place an order on the enclosed brochure, checks payable to Kristine Clark.

Women Can Do! Conference:

"How do you want to change the world? Discover the possibilities at the Women Can Do! conference" at Vermont Technical College on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Attend hands-on workshops in science, technology, engineering, math, and skilled trades professions. Girls in grades 9-12...see Mrs. Jones for more info and a registration form or visit vtworksforwomen.org/womencando Forms are due back by September 25th.

Community Service:

All 9th, 10th, and 11th graders have community service requirements for graduation. 9th graders must complete 40 hours, 10th graders must complete 35 hours and 11th graders must complete 25 hours. Check out the website for more information:https://sites.google.com/lelandandgray.org/communityserviceAlso, please see below section with Community Service opportunities.

Radon Update:

"As of 9/1/17, I am very pleased to announce that all areas previously with high radon amounts at L&G have been retested for radon - following our mitigation work - and all areas have tested below the recommended threshold. We apologize for the length of time that this dragged on."-Bob Thibault, Principal

Health Office:

Welcome back! Please remember to turn in your health forms to the nurse as soon as possible. If you need a new form they are available using the link in the health section of the student handbook or you can pick one up from the nurse's office. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks, Sara Dunbar School Nurse

Service Learning in Ecuador in April 2018:

Have you ever thought of traveling to a foreign country to work beside the natives in a service learning project? Now is your chance to take a meaningful sustainable and unforgettable venture into the heart of Ecuador’s lush Amazonian rain forest, where you’ll find one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. In Otavalo, you’ll experience the culture and heritage of the city, visiting the Mercados de los Ponchos—a famous market known for its local beautiful textiles—and learning how traditional crafts and meals are prepared when you visit a local family’s home. As you’re immersed in the Quito and Otavalo cultures, you’ll also put your hands to work: building and restoring local schools and promoting social justice.For more information visit the EF Tours website: http://www.eftours.com/educational-tour/ecuador-culture-and-serviceIf you are interested in this service learning travel opportunity, contact Susan Jones, sjones@lelandandgray.org.

School Meals and Eligibility Benefits:

DATE:July 25, 2017TO:Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of Leland and Gray studentsFROM:Deborah Mears, Leland and Gray Free and Reduced Meal ClerkRE:School Meals and Eligibility BenefitsIf your family was eligible for Free /Reduced school meals last year and we have not received an application for the current year you must submit an application by 9/25/2017 or your child(ren) will have to pay the full price. If you have a letter approving you for VT 3Squares, SNAP, or Reach-Up we can approve your student(s) for free meals. Please send a copy of the letter. As of 10/11/2017, your child(ren) may have to the pay the following prices for school meals:Breakfast $1.75Lunch $2.85You may call Deborah Mears at 802-365-9510 if you want to discuss this matter.

ATHLETICS:

Important Update:

L&G has moved to requiring a well exam (sports physical) every year starting 2017-2018. This requirement is for grades 7-12.All practices and games will be listed on our Events and Activities Calendar which is on the L&G website under Calendars.http://lelandandgray.org/index.php/co-curricular-calendar

Brattleboro Heat Tryouts:

Tryouts for the Brattle Heat, 14U softball team will be held on September 23rd, in Brattleboro at Memorial Park, beginning at 10am.Brattleboro Heat is a volunteer organization and help girls play more softball at a higher level, so any and all are welcome at our tryouts.This year in our program we fielded girls from the following schools:Brattleboro, Rutland Town, Leland and Gray, Green Mountain, Springfield, Long Trail, St. Johnsbury, Burr and Burton, and various schools in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. We are looking to expand the number of Vermont players and could use your help.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at this email, or check out our website, www.brattleboroheat.comThank you,Caitlyn Arellano, Coach

AFTER SCHOOL INFO:

HEY Programs:

HEY! Help is seeking Peer Tutors!We are also seeking 8-10 Elementary Counselors per session this year! Some of these positions will have the opportunity to lead STEM programs too.Both Peer Tutors and Elementary Counselors are PAID positions.Email Crystal at afterschool@lelandandgray.org for more info.Crystal Hope GarrityHEY Site Coordinator

Day of Caring:

Coming on Saturday, September 23, 9am to noon with a kick-off breakfast at 8am – Put on your cape and become a local superhero by volunteering with United Way of Windham County at its 8th annual event. There are volunteer projects for all ages at sites around the county addressing issues you care about – to find your project and register, visit www.unitedwaywindham.org and click on Volunteer or call 802.257.4011 x111.See the link for more information: https://unitedwaywindham.galaxydigital.com/aem/general/event/?doc_id=4264There are 9 projects available!The Townshend Business Association is looking for assistance with their upcoming Pumpkin Festival on 10/14. They need assistance with a mailing ahead of time and volunteers on the day of the event. Please see Kevin Burke in Room B16 for more information.The Aids Project of Southern Vermont is looking for ongoing assistance with their mailings. If interested, please contact Diane at (802) 254-4444.Grace Cottage Hospital: At Grace Cottage, on September 30th, we will be running a decon exercise. Two “players” will enter the ED with symptoms and complaints after having been exposed to a pretend chemical which is on them. Our staff’s role is to triage and decontaminate the patients.

We are looking for two students to play the role of victims. They will need to wear a bathing suit under cloths, be prepared to be washed down, clothes taken off (hence the bathing suits), wash off the fictitious chemical and then go into the ED for mock evaluation. They’ll want to bring a second change of clothes to go home in. If interested, please contact clackney@gracecottage.org.

WEST RIVER VALLEY THRIVES:

FALL EVENTS and OPPORTUNITIES:

Middle School

Above the Influence: (ATI) is a national campaign that informs and inspires teens to stand up to negative pressures and influences they face in life. This group will meet and carry out activities from September 2017 to June 2018. Involvement includes:

-Lunchtime meetings twice a month

-Meetings or activities outside the school day including ATI meetings to plan upcoming event details, and gathering to carry out activities in the community

-Various field trips including, but not limited to: Sticker Shock, Tag IT, and Getting to Y

Edge of Leadership: Participants in ATI are eligible to attend a two-day, overnight training at High 5 in Brattleboro called Edge of Leadership. The goal for this training is for students to discover the leadership qualities within themselves and become empowered to go back to their school or community and make a difference through involvement in the ATI group. The dates for this year are September 23-24.

High School

Above the Influence: We will be pioneering a high school ATI group this year at Leland and Gray. We encourage participation in this group for learning lifelong skills in ways to be “above the influence,” and for acquiring the skills to take on leadership roles in your school/community! Please stop by Room A13 and talk to Rebecca about this exciting opportunity.

Refuse to Use: Developed by Stratton Mountain Resort and The Collaborative in 2002, Refuse to Use provides substance use prevention education to teens, schools, and families paired with the offering of a healthy alternative to substance use – a full access pass to Stratton Mountain! These passes are additionally subsidized by West River Valley Thrives, for a final cost of $35 per student. Teens in Refuse to Use make a pledge to remain substance free, with their parents or a caring adult pledging to support their decision. Students are expected to attend five educational events, including the kick-off party. Parents are expected to attend the kick-off party in the fall and Dialogue Night in January. This program is co-run by Karren Meyer, the driver education teacher.

Dash to the Dam

Dash to the Dam: West River Valley Thrives’ annual Halloween 5k will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 9am. Dash to the Dam is a mostly paved trail race on the West River Trail. The race begins at a trailhead off Route 30 and finishes at the Townshend Dam Rec Area, where there will be snacks, prizes and pumpkin painting. Runners are encouraged to wear costumes; a panel of judges from Leland & Gray Middle/High School will be awarding prizes for spookiest, funniest and most creative costumes! The race will begin promptly at 9am and festivities should be concluded by about 11am.

The cost to run is $20 for adults and $15 for kids under 15. Day-of registrations are the same prices, but we encourage you to sign up in advance. Sign-up is open at https://www.runreg.com/dash-to-the-dam.

More information on any of these programs is available by contacting Rebecca Keppler with West River Valley Thrives at 365-4700, wrvthrives@gmail.com or Room A13.

COMMUNITY:

Jamaica Annual Harvest of Talent:

Hey everybody! It’s time to start thinking about getting your act together LITERALLY!The annual Jamaica Harvest of Talent is just around the corner. This year it will be held at 7 PM on Saturday, November 18 at the Jamaica Town Hall. This event is a fund raiser for the Jamaica Village school club, but it is a community wide effort and we’d love for you , your parents, grand-parents and neighbors to be a part of it! Think about what you’d like to share on stage ….a gymnastics routine? A song? A poem? A stand-up comedy act? Fill out the entry form and return to D&K's store in Jamaica or Jamaica Village School.If you have any questions, contact Laura at l.molinelli.girl@gmail.com. Can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!

Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use:

Hello Prevention Partners,

I wanted to let you know that the Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use is now open!

This survey is being conducted by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in partnership with ADAP at the Vermont Department of Health and is designed for Vermont parents with children in grades 6-12. The purpose of the Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use is to assess parents’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to youth substance use, parental monitoring behaviors, and awareness of the ParentUp campaign and other prevention messages and activities.

We expect to keep the survey open from four to six weeks, but the exact timeframe will depend in part on how many respondents we get each week. To encourage participation, respondents will be eligible to enter a drawing for a weekly cash prize of $100 and a grand prize of $500 at the end of the survey. After completing the survey respondents are given the option to click on a link to enter the drawing on a separate website. The survey itself collects no personally identifying information and survey responses cannot be linked with contact information entered on the prize drawing site.

Recruitment will take place through Facebook ads targeted to Vermont parents. Please “like” our Facebook page www.facebook.com/vermontps and encourage any of your contacts and/or community partners to spread the word through their social media channels and complete the survey if they are eligible.

Any questions about the survey can be directed to me at the contact info below, or Kelly Lamonda at ADAP, 802-651-1551 kelly.lamonda@vermont.gov

Friday, September 15, 2017

If you are not receiving Friday Notes by email and would like to or if you would like to be removed from the Friday Notes email list, please email fridaynotes@lelandandgray.org Please also add fridaynotes@lelandandgray.org to your contact list so the mailing doesn't end up in your spam folder. Thank you.

SCHOOL INFO:

School Calendar:

Please make sure to check out the Leland & Gray school calendar. It differs from the District calendar because of professional development days for our faculty. Next Wednesday, September 20th is a half day and students are released at 11:30. The full calendar can be found here.

School Picture Day:

School pictures will take place on Tuesday, September 26th. Order forms will be sent home with students on Monday.

Middle School Open House:

Sept 19, 2017- 6-7PM - Room A3 - Gr. 7-8 Come tour the new MS rooms and learn about the new middle school model at L&G!

Refuse to Use Kickoff:

Refuse to Use Kickoff Event

Sunday, September 24, 2017

7:00 pm- 8:30 pm

ALL L&G High School students who wish to participate in Refuse to Use, MUST attend the Kickoff Event. Participating students need to bring a parent or guardian.

To ski or snowboard at Stratton during Winter Activities, students must have a Stratton pass.

Students have 3 pass options:

Students can do Refuse to Use and receive an UNLIMITED STRATTON PASS for $35.00.

Students can get an employee pass because they or a family member work at Stratton.

Students can make their own arrangements to purchase a pass from Stratton at the full cost of Stratton passes.

Women Can Do! Conference:

"How do you want to change the world? Discover the possibilities at the Women Can Do! conference" at Vermont Technical College on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Attend hands-on workshops in science, technology, engineering, math, and skilled trades professions. Girls in grades 9-12...see Mrs. Jones for more info and a registration form or visit vtworksforwomen.org/womencando Forms are due back by September 25th.

Community Service:

All 9th, 10th, and 11th graders have community service requirements for graduation. 9th graders must complete 40 hours, 10th graders must complete 35 hours and 11th graders must complete 25 hours. Check out the website for more information:https://sites.google.com/lelandandgray.org/communityserviceAlso, please see below section with Community Service opportunities. Day of CaringDay of Caring is coming on Saturday, September 23, 9am to noon with a kick-off breakfast at 8am – Put on your cape and become a local superhero by volunteering with United Way of Windham County at its 8th annual event. There are volunteer projects for all ages at sites around the county addressing issues you care about – to find your project and register, visit www.unitedwaywindham.org and click on Volunteer or call 802.257.4011 x111.

Radon Update:

"As of 9/1/17, I am very pleased to announce that all areas previously with high radon amounts at L&G have been retested for radon - following our mitigation work - and all areas have tested below the recommended threshold. We apologize for the length of time that this dragged on."-Bob Thibault, Principal

Health Office:

Welcome back! Please remember to turn in your health forms to the nurse as soon as possible. If you need a new form they are available using the link in the health section of the student handbook or you can pick one up from the nurse's office. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks, Sara Dunbar School Nurse

Service Learning in Ecuador in April 2018:

Have you ever thought of traveling to a foreign country to work beside the natives in a service learning project? Now is your chance to take a meaningful sustainable and unforgettable venture into the heart of Ecuador’s lush Amazonian rain forest, where you’ll find one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. In Otavalo, you’ll experience the culture and heritage of the city, visiting the Mercados de los Ponchos—a famous market known for its local beautiful textiles—and learning how traditional crafts and meals are prepared when you visit a local family’s home. As you’re immersed in the Quito and Otavalo cultures, you’ll also put your hands to work: building and restoring local schools and promoting social justice.For more information visit the EF Tours website: http://www.eftours.com/educational-tour/ecuador-culture-and-serviceIf you are interested in this service learning travel opportunity, contact Susan Jones, sjones@lelandandgray.org.

Substitute Teachers Needed:

Attention Parents: Would you like to learn more about Leland and Gray??? Here's your opportunity: BECOME A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER NEXT YEAR!! Stop by and pick up an application at the school during the summer and we'll get it processed for you so you'll be ready to substitute in the fall. Teaching experience not required, training provided.

School Meals and Eligibility Benefits:

DATE:July 25, 2017TO:Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of Leland and Gray studentsFROM:Deborah Mears, Leland and Gray Free and Reduced Meal ClerkRE:School Meals and Eligibility BenefitsIf your family was eligible for Free /Reduced school meals last year and we have not received an application for the current year you must submit an application by 9/25/2017 or your child(ren) will have to pay the full price. If you have a letter approving you for VT 3Squares, SNAP, or Reach-Up we can approve your student(s) for free meals. Please send a copy of the letter. As of 10/11/2017, your child(ren) may have to the pay the following prices for school meals:Breakfast $1.75Lunch $2.85You may call Deborah Mears at 802-365-9510 if you want to discuss this matter.

ATHLETICS:

Important Update:

Online Registration is now open for Middle School and High School Soccer!You can register on the Leland and Gray website or go to this link:https://formreleaf.com/organizations/leland-and-gray-union-middle-and-high-schoolIf you registered last season, you can use the same login and password.If you are new to the site, you need to create an account....YOU NEED TO REMEMBER YOUR PASSWORD FOR FUTURE USE!Also please remember, L&G has moved to requiring a well exam (sports physical) every year starting 2017-2018. This requirement is for grades 7-12.All practices and games will be listed on our Events and Activities Calendar which is on the L&G website under Calendars.http://lelandandgray.org/index.php/co-curricular-calendar

Brattleboro Heat Tryouts:

Tryouts for the Brattle Heat, 14U softball team will be held on September 23rd, in Brattleboro at Memorial Park, beginning at 10am.Brattleboro Heat is a volunteer organization and help girls play more softball at a higher level, so any and all are welcome at our tryouts. This year in our program we fielded girls from the following schools:Brattleboro, Rutland Town, Leland and Gray, Green Mountain, Springfield, Long Trail, St. Johnsbury, Burr and Burton, and various schools in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. We are looking to expand the number of Vermont players and could use your help.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at this email, or check out our website, www.brattleboroheat.comThank you,Caitlyn Arellano, Coach

AFTER SCHOOL INFO:

HEY Programs:

HEY! Programs start on September 18th! It will be the first day of the Late Bus.HEY! Help is seeking Peer Tutors!We are also seeking 8-10 Elementary Counselors per session this year! Some of these positions will have the opportunity to lead STEM programs too.Both Peer Tutors and Elementary Counselors are PAID positions.Email Crystal at afterschool@lelandandgray.org for more info.Crystal Hope GarrityHEY Site Coordinator

Junior Iron Chef:

Calling all chefs, chef want-to-be's, and food critics...if you enjoy cooking, want to hone your cooking skills, want to create an original recipe, eat, and have fun, please come to the FACS room on Tuesday, September 19, from 2:45-4:15pm. and/or come see or email Mrs. Jones at sjones@lelandandgray.org.

Day of Caring:

Coming on Saturday, September 23, 9am to noon with a kick-off breakfast at 8am – Put on your cape and become a local superhero by volunteering with United Way of Windham County at its 8th annual event. There are volunteer projects for all ages at sites around the county addressing issues you care about – to find your project and register, visit www.unitedwaywindham.org and click on Volunteer or call 802.257.4011 x111.

WEST RIVER VALLEY THRIVES:

FALL EVENTS and OPPORTUNITIES:

Middle School

Above the Influence: (ATI) is a national campaign that informs and inspires teens to stand up to negative pressures and influences they face in life. This group will meet and carry out activities from September 2017 to June 2018. Involvement includes:

-Lunchtime meetings twice a month

-Meetings or activities outside the school day including ATI meetings to plan upcoming event details, and gathering to carry out activities in the community

-Various field trips including, but not limited to: Sticker Shock, Tag IT, and Getting to Y

Edge of Leadership: Participants in ATI are eligible to attend a two-day, overnight training at High 5 in Brattleboro called Edge of Leadership. The goal for this training is for students to discover the leadership qualities within themselves and become empowered to go back to their school or community and make a difference through involvement in the ATI group. The dates for this year are September 23-24.

High School

Above the Influence: We will be pioneering a high school ATI group this year at Leland and Gray. We encourage participation in this group for learning lifelong skills in ways to be “above the influence,” and for acquiring the skills to take on leadership roles in your school/community! Please stop by Room A13 and talk to Rebecca about this exciting opportunity.

Refuse to Use: Developed by Stratton Mountain Resort and The Collaborative in 2002, Refuse to Use provides substance use prevention education to teens, schools, and families paired with the offering of a healthy alternative to substance use – a full access pass to Stratton Mountain! These passes are additionally subsidized by West River Valley Thrives, for a final cost of $35 per student. Teens in Refuse to Use make a pledge to remain substance free, with their parents or a caring adult pledging to support their decision. Students are expected to attend five educational events, including the kick-off party. Parents are expected to attend the kick-off party in the fall and Dialogue Night in January. This program is co-run by Karren Meyer, the driver education teacher.

Dash to the Dam

Dash to the Dam: West River Valley Thrives’ annual Halloween 5k will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 9am. Dash to the Dam is a mostly paved trail race on the West River Trail. The race begins at a trailhead off Route 30 and finishes at the Townshend Dam Rec Area, where there will be snacks, prizes and pumpkin painting. Runners are encouraged to wear costumes; a panel of judges from Leland & Gray Middle/High School will be awarding prizes for spookiest, funniest and most creative costumes! The race will begin promptly at 9am and festivities should be concluded by about 11am.

The cost to run is $20 for adults and $15 for kids under 15. Day-of registrations are the same prices, but we encourage you to sign up in advance. Sign-up is open at https://www.runreg.com/dash-to-the-dam.

More information on any of these programs is available by contacting Rebecca Keppler with West River Valley Thrives at 365-4700, wrvthrives@gmail.com or Room A13.

COMMUNITY:

Jamaica Annual Harvest of Talent:

Hey everybody! It’s time to start thinking about getting your act together LITERALLY!The annual Jamaica Harvest of Talent is just around the corner. This year it will be held at 7 PM on Saturday, November 18 at the Jamaica Town Hall. This event is a fund raiser for the Jamaica Village school club, but it is a community wide effort and we’d love for you , your parents, grand-parents and neighbors to be a part of it! Think about what you’d like to share on stage ….a gymnastics routine? A song? A poem? A stand-up comedy act? Fill out the entry form and return to D&K's store in Jamaica or Jamaica Village School.If you have any questions, contact Laura at l.molinelli.girl@gmail.com. Can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!

Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use:

Hello Prevention Partners,

I wanted to let you know that the Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use is now open!

This survey is being conducted by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in partnership with ADAP at the Vermont Department of Health and is designed for Vermont parents with children in grades 6-12. The purpose of the Vermont Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use is to assess parents’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to youth substance use, parental monitoring behaviors, and awareness of the ParentUp campaign and other prevention messages and activities.

We expect to keep the survey open from four to six weeks, but the exact timeframe will depend in part on how many respondents we get each week. To encourage participation, respondents will be eligible to enter a drawing for a weekly cash prize of $100 and a grand prize of $500 at the end of the survey. After completing the survey respondents are given the option to click on a link to enter the drawing on a separate website. The survey itself collects no personally identifying information and survey responses cannot be linked with contact information entered on the prize drawing site.

Recruitment will take place through Facebook ads targeted to Vermont parents. Please “like” our Facebook page www.facebook.com/vermontps and encourage any of your contacts and/or community partners to spread the word through their social media channels and complete the survey if they are eligible.

Any questions about the survey can be directed to me at the contact info below, or Kelly Lamonda at ADAP, 802-651-1551 kelly.lamonda@vermont.gov